Cheri Daniels is happy to see her man Mitch take Purdue president role

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's first lady – Cheri Daniels – said Wednesday her family is "delighted" that Gov. Mitch Daniels will become the president of Purdue University when he leaves office after eight years at the Statehouse.

Indiana's first lady, Cheri Daniels, said Wednesday that she and her daughters are thrilled that Gov. Mitch Daniels' next job will be as president of Purdue University.

"Probably 30 years ago, I can remember us saying: Wouldn't it be fun someday to be president of a college or university," Cheri Daniels said. "What a great thing to be around young people and help with their education.

"Who knew that many years later," that would happen, she said.

Mitch Daniels considered a run for president of the United States last year but ultimately declined to enter the race because he said his family is didn't like the idea. Political observers also speculated that he might be a good pick as a vice presidential nominee.

But last week, Daniels ended that speculation by accepting the post at Purdue, where he'll become the university's 12 president. He will replace retiring France Cordova but won't start the job until early next year.

Daniels said she looks forward to being on campus and going to ballgames. She and the governor have a daughter and son-in-law who attended Purdue.

Daniels has largely stayed out of the spotlight in her role as first lady, although she has been active at the Indiana State Fair and as an advocate for heart health. She said Wednesday that she's not sure what – if any – role she'll play at Purdue.

"I'll just have to see what they might like me to do and go from there," she said. "There have been no official conversations."